AIKEN, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken softball team split a pair of games with UNC Pembroke as head coach
Jaclin Poole picked up her first victory with the Pacers in a 13-3 game two win.
Down 2-0 in game one, Poole's team struck for a run in the bottom half of the fourth.
Jessica Stanley led off with an infield single to shortstop. With one down,
Katelyn Powell ripped a base hit to single field, putting runners on first and second. After an out,
Brianna Dow laced a single to the gap in left center field, scoring Stanley to make it 2-1.
Stanley singled to lead off the sixth and was moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by
Katie Painter, but a double play ended the threat.
The Braves smacked a three-run homer in the seventh for a 5-1 edge. Dow registered a double with one down in the seventh but was left stranded.
For the game, Dow had three hits and one RBI. Stanley added a pair of hits while Powell had one base knock. In the circle, Cockrell struck out six batters but took the loss.
UNC Pembroke took a 2-0 lead in the top of game two, but Poole's squad battled back and plated eight runs in the bottom of the first. Stanley led off the inning with a walk. With one down, Dow reached on an error. Both were brought home when
Emily Ayers smashed a three-run round-tripper.
Moments later,
Faith Cooke came in and doubled to the gap in left center field, scoring Painter and
Brooke Moore for a 5-2 edge.
Holly Daum came back into the game and was plated by
Maci Hutto's base knock. Stanley's groundout allowed Hutto to make it 8-2.
Up 8-3, Hutto rocketed a pitch to center field, scoring
Skylar Morley, who had come in as a pinch runner for
Jessica Smith.
Leading 9-3 in the fourth,
Brooke Moore crushed an offering over the right center field fence to make it 10-3. Daum launched a pitch off the wall, scoring Smith, who ripped a double to right field. Stanley's double scored Daum with one away.
Katelyn Powell lifted a sacrifice fly to center field, plating Hutto for a 13-3 advantage.
For the game, Ayers and Hutto each drove in three runs. Stanley and Cooke had two RBI apiece. Hutto and Stanley scored twice apiece.
Rebekah Cook tossed a complete game, picking up the win. She struck out a batter and gave up three runs while scattering nine hits.
The Pacers return to action Saturday, Apr. 3 when they play at Georgia Southwestern.
